A Fun, But Busy Month

March has been a busy, but fun month!

We have had fun times with our friends - beginning with a cook out on March 6th at Suzanne's. Mike A. grilled steaks and we brought salad and dump cake and had a wonderful meal. After we ate, Suzanne's son came in with a video of men "snake grabbing". It was truly red-neck, but we watched the entire video... Too funny!

On Friday the 13th it was stormy and rainy, so we ordered pizza and we spent time enjoying being with family!

The 14th was stormy and we stayed home watching movies and lazing around.

On the 15th we loaded up the van and took off for Hot Springs, AR. We left about 9:45 stopping in Lake Village, AR for a tasty lunch. On the way, we enjoyed the sites of the delta and then when we reached Pine Bluff and turned west, the hilly foot hills of the Ozarks heading into Hot Springs. We had good books on tape and enjoyed each other's company.

We made it into Hot Springs about 3:45 and checked into our hotel, the Hampton. Our room was nice and we dumped our things, hopped in the van and took off for down town and bath house row.

Mike had never been to Hot Springs and we enjoyed walking on the Promenade and looking in the shops along Central Ave. We had a delicious supper at the Olive Garden and went to our room.

After a good night's sleep, we awoke refreshed and ready to roll. We went back to bathhouse row and to the Quapaw Bathhouse where we scheduled afternoon massages and a bath in the hot spring water for me.

For lunch we drove up the mountain to a picnic area and had a wonderful picnic lunch. After driving over the mountain we headed back to town and visited a couple of antique shops before going for our massages.

The Quapaw was wonderful. I headed to the bath and relaxed in the hot water. There were attendants meeting every need and I was well relaxed and ready when it was my turn for a massage.

After the great massage and a shower, we dressed and went to Lake Hamilton to the Fisherman's Wharf for supper. We enjoyed our view of the lake and enjoyed watching the aquaducks taking tourists into the lake! After supper we found a book store and enjoyed an hour or so of browsing through books...one of our favorite pastimes.

We awoke again on Tuesday morning refreshed and excited about another day of exploring Hot Springs. We went to visit Aunt Beulah and took her out for lunch. Afterwards we spent a couple of hours in the Central Market, an enormous indoor flea market where I found several items I just had to have!

It was St. Patrick's Day and we had heard about the "6th Annual First Ever Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade" to be held on Bridge Street, the shortest street in the world?!?!?
The parade started at 6 pm, so we parked and at about 4:45 found a spot and waited. There was alot of activity and lots of nice people to visit with and before we know it the parade started. it was quiet and experience and we had so much fun. The family we stood next to owned the Pancake Shop and invited us for breakfast the next morning - their treat! After supper at the Italian Villa, again we arrived in our room tired but happy.

Wednesday was going home day, but before leaving Hot Springs, we got 2 gallons of "spring water" from the spring at Happy Hollow, had brunch at the Pancake Shop, and shopped along Central Ave. We stopped to see Aunt Beulah and were on the road by 12:30. By 5 we were in Vicksburg and decided to eat at Diamond Jim's where folks over 50 could eat for 1/2 price. We had to register for a "players card" and were given $10 playing $$. After eating, we played our money and when I won my $10 back I quit. Mike didn't quit until he won $200 and then we headed home.

All in all it was a wonderful trip and we are looking forward to going again!

It was a short work week... just 2 days and then it was the weekend.

Friday night we had supper with our friend Sheila and really enjoyed visiting with her and catching up.

Saturday we headed into Jackson for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we had so much fun!

Sunday after church we had a quick lunch and then took off for the deer camp. Mike had lost his cell phone on Friday and we took the metal detector to look for it. After several hours of looking, and not finding it, we gave up. We drove to the Rez and rode around watching the boats and fishers. We had a delicious supper at the Cock of the Walk and then went home... again tired, but happy.

Finally, this has been a good week at work, one where I have NOT had to work long hours and have had time to get things done.

I am looking forward to a quiet weekend, going to church, and seeing friends and family.